Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 19: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

= THE BLACK TUBE. Marsh, who, in his nervous manner, had _ begun to pace the rug, shot a look at Mr. Sands’s. secretary. The lawyer was a keen reader of human nature and he fancied he caught a note of hostility in Deston’s tone. His eyes turned on Craton. Ii the detec- tive had sensed anything of the kind-he gave no sign. With a smile and a nod of apparent satisfaction he settled back in his chair. “ Now that that is understood, let’s act to it. You ought to know where to begin.” Deston considered just a second. — His lean fingers beat a nervous tattoo on the arm of his chair as his eyes regarded the opposite wall. He seemed quite oblivious of the two men watching him so intently. “YT imagine,” he said, speaking slowly and without shifting his gaze, “ that I had — ‘as well commence with Mr. Buckwell’s call. Mr. James Buckwell, Mr. Marsh.” The lawyer gave a curt nod as he halted in his pacing and regarded Deston ques- tioningly. “He was here this evening. Mr. Sands sent for him. He left at eight forty-five. What they talked about during the first part of the interview I have no idea. I was in here. Mr. Sands rang for me and I went to the library. He then stated that he had ruined Mr. Buckwell.” “What!” exploded Marsh. “Those were his words, Mr. Marsh,” went on Deston. “ He said that Mr, Buck- -well would resign the presidency of every company. to-morrow.” “ But why? Why should Sands have done such a thing?” cried Marsh, A shade of annoyance crept into Craton’s face, but he kept silent. “ Mr. Sands stated to me in Mr. Buck- well’s presence that he did so because Mrs. Sands wished to get a divorce and marry Mr. Buckwell.” 7 Marsh sank into the nearest chair in dumb amazement. “ You are sure—he said that?” he asked. Deston nodded. 3 “Ts it true?”? demanded Craton sharply. “It might be,” admitted Marsh reluc- tantly. ‘* Mr. Sands has for some time had — the idea in his head that Mrs. Sands was going to sue for a divorce and that she 489 wanted to marry some one else. He has talked with me about it and I know—it was against my advice—he has had his wife watched. He never told me it was Buck- well.”’. “ Could Mrs. Sands have found erounds for a divorce?’’ questioned Craton. Marsh looked a little troubled. ‘‘ I—I suppose- grounds could have been found. ‘Mr. Sands was a man who thought of noth- ing but business, Craton, except at times. Sometimes he—he—well, he ran wild. He would have these moments. He drank then and I’ve never gone farther into those pe- riods, I haven’t cared to do so.” ““ We'll drop them unless we have to look that way,’ suggested Craton. ‘‘ Go on, Mr. Deston.”’ Deston considered a moment. ‘“ Where was I? Oh, yes.. Mr. Buckwell left. As he went out the front door he told Mr. Sands that he had gone too far this time, that he would get his for what he had done. His exact words as near as I can recall them were: ‘ You have gone the limit this time, but you'll get yours and your money will do you lots of good in hell.””’ 3 Marsh started to his feet, but sank back at a quick sign from Craton. “ Did you take these words down?” Cra- ton asked. “No, but I recall them clearly.” “Then what?” “Mr. Sands turned to me and told 1 me to go to his home—it is about half a mile from here through the weods—and tell Miss Thurston he would not be up until late. He had an appointment at nine thirty with Mr, Vrooman. .I do not know whether that appointment was kept or not. I left to do Mr. Sands’s errand. I—well, I had as well admit it, I was considerably disturbed: for Mr, Sands had told me he would not want my service any more; that I was to leave here by noon to-morrow. z : Marsh bent forward like a shot. mean he discharged you?” he cried. 7 A faint smile touched Deston’s lips, a ~- You smile that came very close to being a sneer, while a gleam of smoldering anger. flashed for just a second in his eyes. “JT do,” he said quietly. “It may not t be , a pleasant admission to make and it may,” (EA AVI] OOO) KS (EO)